Baltimore County Preview: Senior Guards To Watch

A little over a week ago, the MPSSAA announced that the first official practice for the basketball season will begin on December 7. The first official games can be played on January 4. With that being the case, it’s time to begin the preseason previews. We start with the senior guard to watch in Baltimore County. [player_tooltip player_id="902001" first="Ryan" last="Conway"] | 6’2 | Dulaney Conway headlines not only as the top guard in Baltimore County, but the top player overall. The Seton Hall commit has been a dynamic scoring presence since he stepped foot on Dulaney’s campus as a freshman. Last year Conway logged a 55-point outing in just three quarters of play in a win against Hereford. He averaged over 27 points per game and helped Dulaney advance to the Class 4A Regional Finals, but had to sit out with an ankle injury as Dulaney came up short. If all goes as planned, Conway is the clear favorite to win Baltimore County Player of the Year and be the main reason why Dulaney stays atop of the standings. [player_tooltip player_id="902047" first="Jaylin" last="Webster"] | 6’1 | Dulaney Next to Conway in the backcourt is senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="902047" first="Jaylin" last="Webster"]. The two split ball-handling duties evenly throughout the course of games, but Webster knows how to play effectively off the ball by converting on catch-and-shoots from the perimeter. He can also make things happen off the bounce and attack seams quickly. The key for Webster will be cutting down on his turnovers. There are times where he tries to hit the homerun pass and squeeze the ball in tiny windows rather than making the simple swing to a teammate, who can then get the ball to the player that Webster originally wanted to pass to. If he can become more efficient in that sense, Dulaney has a much better chance of fulfilling their potential as a team. [player_tooltip player_id="775363" first="Darrius" last="Tilghman"] | 6’4 | Parkville<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/darrius-tilghman.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1069108 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/darrius-tilghman-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Tilghman will shoulder more responsibility as a senior and be expected to make things happen after the Knights lost their floor general [player_tooltip player_id="832968" first="John" last="Godinez"] to graduation. Tilghman, a Chestnut Hill commit, has tremendous size and solid IQ for a combo guard. The southpaw can make shots when left open around the perimeter, but you’ll find him more often driving to the basket with intentions to create for others. Consistency will be huge for Tilghman this season. There can’t be games where he disappears if Parkville plans to capitalize on last year’s Class 4A Final Four appearance. [player_tooltip player_id="902065" first="Malik" last="Scipio"] | 6’2 | Parkville Scipio is one of the toughest guards you’ll find in Baltimore County. He’s a rough and rugged guard who knows how to use his brute strength when he attacks the rim. While most guards with this mentality are one-trick ponies, Scipio can also hit shots from three and has been efficient in mid-range pull ups off the dribble. Similar to Tilghman, consistency will be key with Scipio as he’s expected to be a leading scorer for this Knights team. Montez Dunbar | 6’2 | Parkville Dunbar is probably a name not many are familiar with, but that will change. Last year he was used as a defensive stopper and did an effective job making the other team’s best perimeter player work for anything they got. This year, look for Dunbar to showcase his ability to knock down the deep ball with fluidity playing off Tilghman and Scipio’s playmaking. I’ve also been told Dunbar has drastically improved his athleticism and is finishing above the rim with regularity. He’ll be valuable in the open floor if that’s the case. Evan Flaks | 5’9 | Pikesville Flaks is one of the most sound point guards you’ll find not only in Baltimore County, but the Baltimore Metro area. The 5-foot-9 floor general can facilitate in the half court, make high IQ reads as a passer and brings the threat of scoring just enough to keep the defense guessing at all times. He works extremely hard on the defensive end and is willing to pick up full court, take charges and dive on the floor for 50/50s. Flaks is being pursued by many high-academic Division III programs and for good reason. He’ll be the catalyst to Pikesville proving some folks wrong this winter and winning games against tough opponents. Quentin Wells | 6’2 | Randallstown Wells quietly put together an impressive junior season for an improved Randallstown team. The 6-foot-2 lead guard averaged over 15 points per game and has a well-balanced attack as a scorer and playmaker. Wells carried over production this summer with Team Choo and looks fully prepared to make Randallstown a top team in the county alongside senior forward [player_tooltip player_id="1049493" first="Jamai" last="Felt"]. Noah Oliver | 6’2 | Eastern Tech Oliver is an under the radar guard who does a little bit of everything for Eastern Tech. He won’t light it up from three, but has some ability to create off the bounce for himself in the mid-range and around the basket. He’s a plus rebounder for his position and is asked to fulfill many responsibilities for the Mavericks on that end of the floor. Eastern Tech isn’t favored as being a contender in the county, but Oliver is someone that the opposing coach has to game plan around.